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Coupe, electric, GENESIS, Motoring

Luxury GENESIS now even better

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GENESIS GV60 Pure

By Bill McCarthy

There is no doubt in my mind that Genesis, the luxury arm of Korean manufacturer Hyundai, is maturing impressively.  Parent brand Hyundai was once known for budget motors. No longer of course, but its upmarket GENESIS brand now feels thoroughly luxurious, competitive in the £50k-plus market, and packed with technology.

A recent facelift sees three model specs: the new rear-wheel-drive Pure, the all-wheel-drive Sport, and the high-performance Performance.

The Pure, tested here, focuses on efficiency and luxury, while the Sport and Performance add dual-motor traction and increased power, catering to buyers who prioritise grip and acceleration over maximum range. I previously drove the ridiculously quick, 490PS Sport Plus twin motor a couple of years ago, and although the new Pure lacks that kind of performance, like most electric cars it still offers plenty of pace.

Price and styling

This entry-level model starts at just over £53k, but the tested version – featuring a host of optional extras – bumped the price to well over £63k. Visually, it remains a show-stopper, with a slippery, aerodynamic profile offering luxury, performance and now an extended range via a larger 84.0 kWh battery. With a claimed 348 miles, range anxiety is pretty much dispatched. 

Striking exterior features include quad lamps, the distinctive Bentley-esque badge, a lower crest grille, and eye-catching alloy wheels.

High-tech features include an Electronically Controlled Suspension system, which uses the front camera and navigation data to recognise potential bumps and potholes, pre-adjusting the suspension.

Cutting edge cabin

Inside, the cabin looks and feels superb, with planet-friendly trims made from organic and recycled materials. Despite the dual panoramic touchscreen, a wealth of physical controls remains, making life simple for the driver. The interior is roomy enough and comfortable, with high-quality soft-touch finishes.

This test car came with the optional £2,930 Comfort Pack, adding an 18-way electronically adjustable Ergo-Motion driver’s seat, ventilation for the front seats, heating for the rear, and Premium Relaxation Seats for both driver and passenger. The rear seats recline and fold to increase boot capacity from 520 litres to a capacious 1,580 litres, accessed via the powered tailgate.

Additional security comes from a face recognition panel in the B-pillar, supplemented by a fingerprint recognition button near the drive controls. The door unlocks seamlessly as you approach, and the door handles pop out. Still, I wonder about the longevity of these features – it feels slightly gimmicky.

The cabin’s touch-controlled cockpit is dominated by a new single 27-inch panoramic OLED display that controls instrumentation and infotainment, while Genesis Connect Services offers cutting-edge over-the-air updates and smartphone integration.

The interior centrepiece is the so-called ‘Crystal Sphere’: press the starter, and the sphere revolves to present the automatic gear selector. Switch off the car, and it rotates back to deliver subtle ambient lighting. When indicating, cameras show the road ahead on the screen – an excellent safety measure.

 In additions, the innovative Active Sound Design (e-ASD) delivers three virtual driving sounds. 

Upgraded powertrain

Thanks to a larger battery powering a single motor, the Pure boasts a WLTP combined range of 348 miles. An accurate figure was difficult to obtain, but across all types of driving and sometimes inclement conditions, I estimated around 300 miles. 

When you do stop, the 400V/800V ultra-rapid charging architecture proves a game-changer, capable of accepting up to 240kW DC to charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. Smart Regenerative Braking 3.0 with i-Pedal further helps to maximise efficiency.

Safety and Innovation

The test car offers a comprehensive list of advanced safety kit, including numerous warnings and alerts, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera with dynamic reversing guidelines, smart cruise control with lane assist, collision warnings and blind-spot recognition. 

The £4,170 Innovation Plus Pack adds a head-up display, digital centre mirror, blind-spot view monitor, surround view monitor, remote smart parking assist 2, parking collision-avoidance assist, and the excellent intelligent front-lighting system.

Verdict

The GV60 Pure has matured excellently and still looks the part with sharp styling, cutting-edge technology and cabin comfort. It is not cheap, but similarly specced premium models will cost much more.

Factfile

  • Genesis GV60 Pure 
  • Price: £53,300 (As tested: £62,605)
  • Mechanical: 229PS, 84.0kWh battery/single motor driving the rear wheels via single-speed auto gearbox
  • Max speed: 115mph
  • 0-62mph: 7.5 secs
  • Combined WLTP range: 348 miles
  • Insurance group: 45-49
  • CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
  • BiK rating: 2%
  • Warranty: Five years/unlimited mileage
electric, Motoring, SUV

Aircraft-inspired Chinese electric SUV takes flight

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Changan Deepal S05

By Bill McCarthy

With new brands seeming to appear in the UK market almost monthly, catching the eye is essential. Chinese carmaker Changan has launched two models in just over six months, the latest, the Deepal S05, using aircraft-inspired design to deliver that eye-catching styling.

Changan may be unfamiliar to most British drivers, but the company has been manufacturing cars in China for over 40 years and has operated a research and development facility in Birmingham for 11 years. The brand has sold more than 30 million vehicles worldwide.

The brand’s first offering last autumn was the Deepal S07, which has now been followed by the S05 as a smaller second model.

The carmaker’s UK managing director, Nick Thomas, says the Birmingham facility plays a crucial role in developing models for the UK and Europe—among the most demanding markets globally. As a result, the S05 has been tested and tuned specifically for UK roads and regulations.

These capabilities were demonstrated during a testing session on an airport runway, where the car was put through its handling, steering, and braking paces on three slalom courses, performing well throughout. It was also taken on a more extensive road test.

Styling and specifications

The S05 is offered as a single model in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, priced from £37,990 for the RWD version and £39,990 for the AWD variant. The only optional extras at launch are a panoramic glass roof and a retractable towbar. As a newcomer still untested in the UK, the brand offers a class-leading seven-year/100,000-mile car warranty and an eight-year/124,000-mile battery warranty for peace of mind.

While still a significant sum, the newcomer offers plenty of value with a standard vegan leather interior and equipment typically found in high-end premium vehicles. The usual goodies you would expect at this price are present, including a 14-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 50W smartphone wireless charger, and keyless entry.

The designers have opted for an aircraft-inspired look across both exterior and interior. At the front, slim LED daytime running lights, aircraft-inspired headlights, and a bumper that incorporates a “flying wing” look. This aerospace theme continues at the rear with a V-shaped spoiler with an aircraft-inspired silhouette and an illuminated logo.

It also includes flush-mounted, pop-out electric door handles— though these can feel a bit gimmicky and may not be to everyone’s taste.

Wraparound cockpit

Inside, the S05 offers a less-is-more look. The premium feel is highlighted by body-hugging, heated and ventilated vegan leather front seats.

The centrepiece is a 15.4-inch central rotating high-definition touchscreen, the vehicle’s control hub for connectivity, infotainment, navigation, and safety features.

The screen can swing 15 degrees towards the driver or front passenger, allowing easy glances while on the move. Physical knobs and buttons are in short supply, but key controls still require a physical interaction from the driver.

An augmented reality head-up display projects key information onto the windscreen. Additionally, the voice and gesture control is among the easiest I have used, helping the driver stay focused on the road.

Performance and range

A road test through the Cotswolds revealed a satisfying ride, handling, and agility. Acceleration is brisk and the cabin quiet, thanks to extensive soundproofing. The well-weighted steering offers confident, nimble feedback.

The rear-wheel-drive model delivers 200 kW (268 bhp), sprinting from 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds with over 300 miles of range. The all-wheel-drive version adds an extra motor on the front axle, boosting total output to 320 kW (429 bhp), cutting the 0-62 time to just 5.5 seconds. 

Practicality and space

Despite its compact size, the S05 is a surprisingly practical choice for families. Fold the seats down, and you get up to 1,250 litres of load space—plenty of room for pushchairs, shopping, or holiday luggage. Like its bigger brother, the S05 comes with a handy front boot (“frunk”) for storing charging cables or keeping muddy shoes away from the main cabin, and it features a drainage hole for wet items.

It also includes vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, so you can power appliances directly from the car—ideal for camping or outdoor equipment. For towing, there is an optional retractable towbar that can pull up to 1,600 kg. With all this extra stowage space, the S05 makes everyday family life easier—whether it’s the school run or a weekend away.

Safety and ADAS

Both models share the same safety credentials. The S05 achieves a five-star Euro NCAP rating, underpinned by a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) designed to reduce fatigue and prevent incidents.

The Deepal S05 comes well equipped with advanced driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with lane centring for motorways, a 360-degree camera with parking aids for city driving, and comprehensive safety systems like AEB, collision warnings, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring.

Verdict

The Deepal S05 offers a striking design and premium interior. It drives well, offers surprising practicality for its size, and the seven-year warranty provides peace of mind. However, the flush door handles that pop out feel gimmicky, and the heavy reliance on the touchscreen for controls won’t suit everyone. Still, for those seeking an electric SUV that delivers genuine value, the S05 is well worth a look.